Five Acre Wood School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 119055 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Hazel Farrant

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1994. She lives with her two adult children. They live in a house in Sandhurst, Berkshire within walking distance of local schools, shops and amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and a bedroom on the first floor has been identified for children requiring sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for six children, two of which attend on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder drives or walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group, the children are also taken to the park and local library. The family have one cat as a family pet. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They are developing control of their bodies and improve their physical skills through regular visits to local parks and playgrounds. They also take part in activities in the enclosed garden such as sit and ride toys and play on the garden slide. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet by being able to help themselves to drinking water or juice throughout the day and being offered healthy alternatives to crisps and sugary snacks. For example fruit is offered at snack times. Meals and snacks provided by the parents are stored appropriately; chilled foods are stored in the fridge on arrival. Parent’s wishes are acknowledged and discussed and regular feedback is given about how much of the meal their child has eaten. Young children are developing increased independence by being encouraged

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Helping children to be healthy

to feed themselves using their own spoons. Children sit at the table and eat together, young children sit in booster seats or use a highchair, good social interaction is fostered. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals so that they reduce the risk of cross contamination. Children are protected from illness and infection; there are suitable procedures in place to protect them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised, a risk assessment is completed regularly. They are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Children understand how to keep themselves safe and how to maintain their safety outside the home. For example children know how far they can walk in front of the childminder when walking along footpaths; children use lamp posts as boundary markers. They are encouraged to walk bicycles and carry footballs in a bag until safely inside a secure area such as the park. They learn about emergency evacuation, the childminder has devised a written procedure. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 equipment, which meet safety standards. Children’s toys are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development, the childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice. Children's welfare is maintained as the childminder has gained all necessary parental consents that are required. Children's wellbeing is safeguarded and promoted, the childminder has most required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has an understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. However, children’s welfare will benefit when the childminder completes up to date training, this will further develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and obtain the booklet 'What

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to do if you're worried a child is being abused'. Children are protected from unvetted persons as the childminder supervises the children when they are playing giving a high standard of supervision at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house, they enter confidently and make themselves at home. Children learn social skills with the support of a trusted adult. They become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all. Children play with play dough and use construction blocks such as Duplo and Lego. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as using templates to make pictures and constructing models out of dough. Children spend their time purposefully, older children who attend after school use the computer and have the opportunity of playing with age appropriate toys and activities. The childminder has a copy of the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework to enhance activities for the younger children; she has sound understanding of how to promote social and creative skills. For example older children make and bake cakes,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

whilst the younger children join in the activity by decorating them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a range of activities. However children's awareness of diversity and understanding of others, needs to be further developed. For example with the use of more resources and planned activities celebrating festivals of the wider world we live in. Children learn about their local community by visiting local parks and woodland walks. They experience picking wild berries such as blackberries and make pies and crumbles with their produce. Children learn about fruit and vegetables through visits to local pick your own farms and enjoy looking for conkers in the woods during the autumn. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met satisfactorily as they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Relationships

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are being forged and social skills developed with adult support, children are becoming aware of the needs of others. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks and independently visiting the toilet. They have time to relax as well as being active. Children are interested in a broad range of indoor and outdoor activities which provide sufficient levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease with the well organised environment. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children’s welfare, care and learning is promoted through efficient use of the childminders procedures. Some are written policies such as equal opportunities and emergency evacuation, others are shared verbally. Children's activities and achievements are shared daily with parents through verbal exchange. A log is also used to record information on outings and activities of the day. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Children gain confidence and self-assurance through the childminder's effective use of praise and encouragement. Children spend their time purposefully because the childminder organises activities and outings around daily routines. Children are supported well; the required adult to child ratio is understood and

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Organisation

maintained. Children’s needs are met effectively; the childminder has a range of suitable documentation in place. Children’s welfare and care is secure as all records are effectively maintained. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last Children Act inspection the childminder was required to review documentation which included: to record the activities and outings undertaken with the children; devise a procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency evacuation and to gain parental consent for photographs. The childminder has completed all of these recommendations; appropriate paperwork is now in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints since the last inspection.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • attend appropriate training to further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • increase resources and activities to promote positive images of the wider world we live in.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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